Mickelson Trail extension - Hill City to Mount Rushmore

The Mickelson Trail provides hikers and bikers easy access to over 100 miles of unspoiled beauty in the heart of the Black Hills from Deadwood to Edgemont. In the years since its completion in 1998, active people across the nation and around the globe have made the Mickelson Trail a part of their visit to the Hills. Money to pay for bridges, tunnels, and rest stops along the Trail was raised by the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and hundreds of individuals and businesses continue to contribute to the Foundation for the Trail's improvement and expansion each year.

The Trail's success has contributed to the vision of a Trail extension over the approximately 20 miles from Hill City to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. Plans for the extension are now in development. An Environmental Impact Study will be completed to determine the best route along the several proposed paths identified by Wyss Associates of Rapid City.

When the official route is identified, the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation will begin raising funds to complete and add amenities to the new Trail. The grades along the trail will be steeper and the path more rugged than the existing Trail, but the views and adventure will be well worth the exercise!